adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
IT’S so sad the Sables will not play any preparatory games ahead of the make-or-break 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifiers after all. Yesterday, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union conceded that they were broke and no companies were willing to come on board their World Cup ship.
This has resulted in the cancellation of two proposed international friendlies in South Africa.
The Zimbabwe rugby flagship team was expected to play the Limpopo Blue Bulls in Musina, South Africa, tomorrow before taking on the Limpopo Blue Bulls Academy on June 14.
But all these plans have now gone down the drain.
The only thing left for the Sables is to prepare in a 10-day camp where they will have a Possibles versus Probables game before departing for the Africa Cup — which is also doubling up as the World Cup qualifier — in Madagascar starting June 28.
“Zimbabwe Rugby has recently had the misfortune of a sponsor withdrawing their support for the Sables in late stages of negotiations,” a statement from the ZRU said.
“Previous efforts with other corporates have not come to fruition for the Rugby World Cup qualification programme.
“Zimbabwe rugby has subsequently come to the decision that they will revert to a 10-day camp in Harare prior to the qualification tournament and not travel to Messina for two scheduled warm-up matches for the team.
“Further compounding the issue has been the fact that the local union are not in a financial position to cover the hosting expenses of the Zimbabwe team during the four days in Messina.
“Plans to strengthen the relationship with the home union are now directed towards playing a series of matches in February and June 2015.
“Funding that has been raised for the Sables efforts will subsequently be directed towards player assembly and a camp in the capital from the June16 – 26. During this camp a Possibles v Probables match will be held on Friday June 20.
“A high-profile scrumming coach from South Africa is also expected to join the camp to assist with technical assistance in this area as well as providing assistance to local referees in the officiating of scrums in the country.”
And at the moment, only the Harare-based Sables are having gym sessions and meet once every Wednesday evening at Harare Sports Club for a field training session with assistant coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge.
Last week about a dozen players took part in Mandenge’s session, almost trebling from the previous week where only five players were involved in the field session.
Foreign-based players Gerald Sibanda, prop Denford Mtamangira, lock Michael Passaportis and flank Kingsley Lang are already in the country.
The rest of the foreign-based contingent is expected by end of this week.
Sables Squad
Forwards: F. Chipendu, J. Ferreira, S. Ferreira, L. Groenewald, P. Joubert, G. Lawler, J. Leitao, M. Mandioma, T. Mangezi, K. Murray, D. Mutamangira, R. Mwale, J. Ndlovu, K. Nqindi, M. Passaportis, A. Rose, S. Sibanda, N. Winwood.
Backs: T. Chitokwindo, D. Hondo, S. Hunduza, S. Makombe, T. Makwanya, H. Mudariki, G. Nechironga, T. Nemadire, R. O’Neill, D. Robertson, G. Sibanda, L. Tambwera.
Online Reporter